What's Our Problem? cover art

What's Our Problem?

A Self-Help Book for Societies

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What's Our Problem?

By: Tim Urban
Narrated by: Tim Urban
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About this listen

From the creator of the wildly popular blog Wait but Why, a fun and fascinating deep dive into what the hell is going on in our strange, unprecedented modern times.

Between 2013 and 2016, Tim Urban became one of the world’s most popular bloggers, writing dozens of viral long-form articles about everything from AI to colonizing Mars to procrastination. Then, he turned his attention to a new topic: the society around him. Why was everything such a mess? Why was everyone acting like such a baby? When did things get so tribal? Why do humans do this stuff?

This massive topic sent Tim tumbling down his deepest rabbit hole yet, through mountains of history, evolutionary psychology, political theory, neuroscience, and modern-day political movements, as he tried to figure out the answer to a simple question: What’s our problem?

Six years later, he emerged from the hole with this book. Narrated by the author, What’s Our Problem? is a deep and expansive analysis of our modern times, in the classic style of Wait but Why, packed with original concepts and sticky metaphors. The book provides an entirely new framework and language for thinking and talking about today’s complex world. Instead of focusing on the usual left-center-right horizontal political axis, which is all about what we think, the book introduces a vertical axis that explores how we think, as individuals and as groups. Listeners will find themselves on a delightful and fascinating journey that will ultimately change the way they see the world around them.

Anyway, he wanted to say a lot more about all of this, but there was a word limit on this book description, so just go listen to the book.

©2023 Tim Urban (P)2023 Tim Urban
Politics & Government Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Thought-Provoking Feel-Good Self Help Societies

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All stars
Most relevant
With inimitable style, reason and wit, Tim Urban delivers an intelligent and insightful treatise on what ails America. This is a must read for anyone who aspires to maintaining an open mind and a free world.

A perfect diagnosis and treatment plan

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Analysis that is both eye opening, accessible and objective. Highly recommended for those who suspect that their various information feeds are not testing their opinions in a robust way.

Great analysis

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I’ve been following the author’s blog for a while. Love the narration. I also have the eBook to read along. There is a lot of content to process.
Refreshing to be exposed to the arguments and content in a mainstream publication format.
It feels like having a well educated adversary to debate and exchange ideas with. Someone not coming from the echo chamber. Thanks for creating this.

Worth the wait.

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An honest and unbiased challenge to hold ourselves to higher standards of thinking.

important to read, even if you don't agree, actually, especially if you don't fully agree with his point of view. as that's the whole point. hiding from valid argument or criticism only serves to blind us from reality and enables very dangerous behaviours from all sections of society.

Puts all my recent feelings into simple words

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I cannot recommend this book enough, particularly if, like me, you have noticed both sides of the political spectrum go off-the-rails in the last decade and are increasingly worried about our increasing inability to discuss, debate & disagree like grown-ups.

Adding another dimension to the Left > Center > Right axis in the form of 'The Ladder' is one of many brilliant visual metaphors to help explain & reframe the current political landscape. Without making moral judgements about individual issues Urban instead concentrates on the tactics being employed by the extremes (or lower rung parties) and eloquently explains how this momentum can only drag our society down at a time when we really need to be 'climbing'.

An excellent book & will be recommending to anyone who will listen to me.

For anyone wondering 'Where have the adults gone?'

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